St Martin de Porres prayer card - Cafod

St Martin de Porres
Saint Martin de Porres
We remember your kindness and generosity, and the help you offered to
all people. You did not exclude anyone, seeing God in everyone, so we
know you will hear our prayers. We ask you to make us generous, loving
and respectful to all people. Help us to recognise that justice, peace, and
the world’s resources belong to all God’s people.
May we continue to work together for the common good of all, as, with
each other, and united with all those who have gone before us, we pray -
Our Father…
Feast Day
3 November
Birthplace
Lima, Peru
Born
1579
Died
3 November 1639
Canonised
1962 by Pope John XXIII
A thought to take away
We are all part of that great communion of saints, people
throughout the world and in every century, whose lives
witnessed to the love of God in this world, and who continue to
be an example to us.
Patron saint of
those seeking inter-racial
harmony; all who work for
social justice
Pope Benedict reminded us that we are all called to be saints.
• How am I going to be a witness for social justice
• How am I going to love God and my neighbour
• How can I live as a saint
Saint Martin de Porres
Pray for us
You must love
your neighbour
as yourself…
”
The Gospel passage used on the feast of St
Martin is from Matthew 22:34-40. It is clear that
Martin took these words of Jesus into his heart
and lived them throughout his whole life.
“You must love the Lord your God with all your
heart… you must love your neighbour as
yourself.”
As Christians, we are called to work for and
support social justice wherever we are. In what
ways can I imitate St Martin and live out these
words of Jesus in my life
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Registered charity no. 285776
Illustration: St Martin de Porres by Simon David. Photos: CAFOD/Paul Smith
• At home
• In school
• Among my friends

The life of St Martin de Porres
M
artin was born in Lima, Peru, in 1579. His father was a Spanish
nobleman and his mother was a freed slave from Panama. For a
number of years, Martin’s father left the family and ignored Martin
because of his appearance – in looks, Martin was very like his mother, and
his father found this difficult to accept.
The family was very poor, but despite all these difficulties, Martin grew up
as good young man who prayed and tried to live out the teachings of
Jesus. He was sent to learn the trade of a barber, which in those days
included learning surgical and medical skills. Martin's father finally decided
to take care of his son's education, but Martin wanted to join the
Dominican Priory of the Rosary in Lima, as a brother.
He soon proved to be a wonderful friar, extraordinarily kind, humble and
holy. Before long, he began to work miracles, curing so many people that
everyone in Lima would send for Brother Martin when there was sickness.
Martin treated people of all races and colours, showing
no discrimination.
He recognised all people as his sisters and brothers in Christ. He founded
an orphanage and was generous to sick people outside the priory. Many
gave large amounts of money to Martin to help with these ventures. Even
animals were looked after by this generous-hearted saint.
Martin had a very humble opinion of himself, calling
himself “Brother Broom”.
When he died, this beloved saint was mourned by all. He was carried to his
tomb by bishops and noblemen, who wanted to honour this humble and
holy brother, whose life had been such an example to them all.
CAFOD’s work in Lima
CAFOD has worked
in Peru since 1968.
Our programme
has been shaped
by two main
influences: our
relationship with
the Catholic Church
and the human
rights situation in
relation to the past
conflict and current
conflict around
natural resources.
EDUCA is one of CAFOD’s partners. Here are some of the people they
work with. Janneth is seated at the front wearing a white top.
Janneth, 24, is the treasurer of a group of young people who, like St Martin, work to
improve their community. Janneth says, “A group of us met at a meeting. We all
have the same outlook, the same wish of improving our local area, San Juan de
Lurigancho. We started to look at what we could do together; we went to the beach
and cleaned it up, then we cleaned up outside the youth centre. We hold an event for
children each year around Christmas. To begin with these were social events with
surprises, presents and food, but now we also include health campaigns; for example
about nutrition or vaccinations. This year we want to encourage a love of reading,
which can lead a child to discover many new things - and education will be beneficial
for the development of San Juan de Lurigancho.”
CAFOD’s local partner EDUCA (Institute for the Provision of a Quality Education) gave
Janneth self-confidence, and through a scholarship and a fund for her new business,
opportunities for a better future. She sees them as a blessing, commenting “I want
to sincerely thank EDUCA with all my heart. They give you the chance to study,
educate yourself and read and then ask any questions – they answer any doubts. It’s
like having a second father or mother.”
Janneth and her colleagues strongly believe in the potential and the ambition of the
young people of the region to better themselves and develop. She works hard to
ensure that her experiences can happen for others, saying “you have to look for the
doors to these opportunities – they’re there, you just have to find them.”
» Find out more by visiting cafod.org.uk/Peru